Crestview schools plan security improvements

November 15, 2013

COLUMBIANA - With school violence in the headlines, Crestview Schools are making some efforts to make their buildings safer. Superintendent John Dilling announced at Wednesday's board meeting there will be some improvements made to the security of the buildings.

The district applied for a grant through the Ohio Department of Education and will receive enough money to place Multi-Agency Radio Communications (MARCs) systems into all three schools. Dilling said he has spoken with County Sheriff Ray Stone and the MARCs system is the same one used by their department to allow deputies to communicate directly to dispatchers.

In the event of an emergency at one of the buildings, school officials could be in direct contact with law enforcement, even without dialing 911.

Additionally, Dilling said the district is adding more cameras to its existing camera system, and those can be accessed by law enforcement. Police and dispatchers with certain types of smart phones and computers will be able to view what is happening inside the building utilizing the cameras.

Finally, there is no school today because the staff will be having an inservice. Part of the training will be a presentation by Columbiana Police Detective Wade Boley about what staff members can do in case of an intruder emergency in the school. The district has also invited sheriff's deputies, New Waterford and Columbiana police to participate in the training.

In another matter before the board on Wednesday, board members thanked three retired employees with 102 years of experience between them - Nancy Dickens, middle school teacher; Ellwood Woolman, teacher and guidance counselor; and Lisa Wycoff, high school teacher.